Authors: Ormsby, Alison;

Urban sacred natural sites, found globally, are important green spaces that provide a variety of ecosystem services, including cultural and ecological benefits. They are under increasing pressure due to the impacts of urbanization, while at the same time being needed more than ever. They provide both spiritual values as well as ecosystem services such as pollution control. One key example is Krakus Mound in Poland. This and other cases of urban sacred natural sites will be presented and compared, including those in Europe and beyond, such as Swayambhu, Nepal, Meiji Jingu, Japan, and Ambohimanga, Madagascar. Despite a wide diversity of associated faith traditions, some common features of these sites include sacred species of trees and symbolic boundary markers. Several of the locations have been declared World Heritage Sites, which has resulted in increased tourism. Future conservation efforts should take into account the diversity of managers and associated management systems for these sites, as well as their multiple users, ranging from participants in associated ceremonies to tourists to city residents.